Avolites AI
Avolites has formed a strategic partnership with Immersive LTD and they now manufacturing a suite of products under the name AI- meaning their high end media servers. AVOLITES MEDIA Ltd. will release Ai media servers through the existing AVOLITES international distribution network. Meanwhile Immersive Ltd. will continue in their successful business of event production, experiential design and content creation for an expanding and diverse, high profile market.
AVOLITES MEDIA Ltd. will design, develop, manufacture and distribute the Ai media server range. Immersive Ltd. and AVOLITES MEDIA Ltd have unique businesses, which
complement each other.
They have formed a strategic alliance and are committed to working together. This relationship of co-operation, communication, feedback and support will be channelled into product design and development. In an alliance that is defining the future.
Here’s a product sheet
It looks like the rack mount version is the AIS-T4, with Avolites Media Ai software, Ais-T performs smooth playback of multilayer 4k resolution content with up to six full 1080p HD outputs arranged in a timeline timecode sequencer. Users can build and create their show in a 3D Stage Visualizer and use the powerful mapping capabilities to allow rapid, precise mapping and warping onto any 3D surface. Tightly integrated support for 3D displays, LEDs, moving lights and other visual elements allow designers to merge video and lighting with unprecedented control.
They’re also releasing the Sapphire Media console, the AI-SM, in August, as well as a dedicated server console- the MSC-1. Exciting stuff from Avo and I can’t wait to get some more info. Be sure to check back for an update!
Renata Deszo
I wasn’t sure if I had ever run her stuff before, but Renata Deszo does some great work- as an example, here is the mapping she did for the International VLS Video Mapping Trophy final show at Heavent Paris October 26, 2011. There’s also some great architectural mappings as well. Renata, who goes by the moniker ‘Rendez’, has a bunch of really great examples of her artwork and technical prowess at this website. Make sure to check it out!
Cinema 4D Overload!
Great. It’s not like I don’t have enough to do this week….now I have to peruse every single minute of Nick Cambell’s outstanding tutorial videos from NAB a couple of weeks ago. Nick runs Greyscalegorilla.com and is a master of C4D. His site is a treasure trove of great info. Be sure to check out the whole series which also features Chris Smith, Kevin Aguirre, Colin Sebastyen, Rob Garrott, Dave Glanz, ….good lord my head is going to explode. Just do yourself a favor and watch. To make it easy- I put a link on our Tutorials for Projection Page.
UVA Updates d3- Designer is here…
The United Visual Artist’s powerful d3 system underwent some changes recently. They now offer a software only version- dubbed ‘d3 Designer’ that allows designers to use the power of d3′s pre-viz capabilities on their own machine, and then run it on a server later. Right now, d3 is spec’ed for a Windows environment (or Mac running Windows). d3 was previously only available as a software/hardware bundle. The new d3 Designer is a software only solution that has all the powerful features of d3 but with the outputs water marked. Made specially for show creators; content designers; projectionists; project managers and other video production professionals, d3 Designer is the most advanced integrated production platform in the market. Created to design and simulate your show from concept design to delivery. Shows created on d3 Designer are transferable to both 2U and 4U d3 production systems. d3’s real-time stage simulator also allows for pre-vis of moving screens and props, giving you full control of your show – on the train, or the plane, or even in your hotel. All the power of d3 (more…)
Knifedge takes a slice at Aida at the RAH
London-based creative agency Knifedge has produced a set of dramatic theatrical projections to act as the backdrop to a major new production of Verdi’s Aida at The Royal Albert Hall. Knifedge’s latest visual effects paint evocative pictures of Ancient Egypt onto huge curved gauzes, stretching around almost a quarter of the venue. The agency has worked closely with set designer Isabella Bywater and lighting designer Andrew Bridge to blend its imagery into the overall design of the show. From a technical stand point, the rig consists of six 20K projections, driven by a Catalyst media server and run from a Hog lighting desk.
photo credits Paul Sanders
Nina Dunn, Knifedge’s lead projection designer for this show, comments: “From the outset, Isabella Bywater gave us a strong vision of what she was looking for from our projections, which provide half of the entire scenic design for this show. With the help of Knifedge designers Louise Rhodes-Brown and Ilyas Khad, we’ve used a rich combination of photographic imagery, 3D renders, 2D drawings, animation and filmic effects to create the scene-setting projections.”
Dunn continues: “One of the challenges was to ensure that the scale and composition of the images was appropriate for the size of the venue. When projecting the inside of a temple, for example, we wanted the audience to feel like they are actually inside that temple, not simply looking at an image of it. We also knew that technical rehearsal time in the Royal Albert Hall would be at a premium, so we designed a solution which could be pre-programmed in advance, minimising set-up time for such complex image constructions.”
Jands Vista L5…. Squint-Vidiot-Programmer, Your Muscle Car has Arrived…
Not for the faint of heart or of wallet…..this console is not really something you’ll be using at the typical nightclub gig…it’s destined for FOH at large venues and festivals. Jands has unveiled the L5 and it looks pretty amazing….from the 21″ HD Wacom screen (who needs multi- monitors?) to the back-lit keyboard to the sleek, “monocoque” chassis, it’s a good-looking piece of industrial design. While I still believe that lighting consoles should control lights, and video consoles should control video, the industry seems driven to marry the two- and I suppose out of all the larger consoles, the Vista has been one of the easiest to use. Squints and wanna-be video programmers rejoice! While you’re drooling on your own keyboard, make sure to visit THIS LINK to see the video and enter a contest to win a Macbook Pro (pre-loaded with the V2 software). From their website (where you can also find the specs):
“The Vista L5 – the ultimate platform for the creative mind
The new Vista L5 is the latest addition to the revolutionary Jands Vista range of consoles and control surfaces. (more…)
Leviathan Makes a Dodge Dart Cool
I once had a friend who owned a ’64 Dart convertible and it was pretty cool. Leviathan managed to make a 2013 Dart just as beautiful in this video. Well, almost. As they put it “Launching a new product generally warrants a sizable production, and car makers tend to unveil their latest & greatest in epic fashion. But when Dodge chose to resurrect the classic Dart for 2013, they took the on-ramp less traveled — and it made all the difference.
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V Squared Labs Reveals the Scion FR-S
I’m a huge fan of Vello Virkhaus’ (V Squared Labs) work and it seems he’s lent his touch to a car reveal. Projection on cars has been in the news a bunch recently- I guess everyone just jumps on the bandwagon at some point, but I happen to like it. Cars are perfect for this type of treatment….sleek lines, interesting shapes, smallish (so a really bright projector can look great), and you can use a lot more than 1 or 2 projectors if need be. V Squared Labs put their touch on this reveal for Scion and while they (more…)
UVA’s Origin: The Origin
I would absolutely love to see this in action. Unfortunately, the closest I’m going to get is through video, but alas, United Visual Artists knocked this one out of the proverbial park. There is a great write-up over at The Creator’s Project that is worth a read. UVA has had (more…)
Update- Electrosonic Wins AV Award
London (October 11, 2011) – The 2011 winners of the annual AV Awards were announced at a gala dinner on September 30 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Electrosonic took home the Business Installation of the Year award for The iZONE at Deloitte 3 New Street Square project in London. In addition, Electrosonic was awarded the Highly Commended (more…)
The MIDAS Project
A synesthetic exploration of traditional artistic performance and digital art, MIDASpaces was devised as an interactive projection mapped space for the Creative Arts. Using the latest tracking technology, the space learns and reacts to performance, allowing the artist to explore new improvised choreography live and in time. The team worked in tandem with dancer Tom O’Donnell. Given a narrative revolving around man’s ever-changing relationship with technology; the movements challenge assumptions within performance and the evolving role of the performer within art.
An interactive projection mapped project- MIDASpaces employs a combination of light projection, sound and camera tracking to add a digital dimension to the Creative Arts in a real world space. The project made use of custom software written in openFrameworks (C++) running in conjunction with QuartzComposer (openGL) to create the visuals. (more…)
Troika Ranch’s Loopdiver Gets Some Press
In case you missed the PBS broadcast of “loopdiver- Journey of a Dance” on August 7, here’s a link to check it out. The documentary is great and really “dives” into the process behind multimedia-based dance production. Troika Ranch is the dance troupe that Mark Coniglio co-founded with Dawn Stoppiello and their work is phenomenal. They rely heavily on multimedia integration and push the boundaries of dance. Mark is the creator of a software app called Isadora, which is pretty big in the projection community. Often chided as having a large learning curve or being too difficult, I love Izzy to death. It gives supreme control over projected images, sound, show control, etc., and is highly customizable. It’s the app that really got me into computer-based projection control and it’s available here. But I digress….
Troika Ranch offers a wide-array of workshops as well. Some are designed as residency activities linked to their performances, others as standalone events that allow them to share their broad experience as creators of interactive performance. Troikatronix is the software arm of the operation and Isadora in all it’s incarnations is available there. There are some great tutorials on Isadora available. Here’s a link to one here on Projectionfreak that involves Madmapper and here are the videos available on Youtube. We also did a short write-up on it here. The support you recieve from being an Izzy user is outstanding, one only has to visit the forums to see the incredible personal attention Mark pays to the users. It is a very cohesive community and any and all issues are resolved with speed and tact. As far as software-based projection apps go, Isadora is one of the best in my opinion. Give it a go and you won’t be sorry!
The Technology Behind Spiderman
PRG has started putting out some great behind-the-scenes webisodes about the technology behind Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. This latest one is with respect to video and features Howard Werner, Jason Lindahl, Jeff Kaye, and Phil Gilbert talking at length about the amazing rig they had to build for this show. They use a V676 and Mbox Extreme Media servers to feed and manipulate the content over 8 LED legs which are 2.5m w x 10m h. You can bet there’s all kinds off custom bells and whistles software-wise too. For as much crazy press as this show has received, I still can’t wait to see it.
Dataton Watchout powers Kennedy Space Center Exhibit
The Dataton Watchout system is a software-based projection control rig that can display multiple resolutions and screen outputs. It has been recently picked to control a large, immersive display at the Kennedy Space Center and the thing that really sets it apart from typical playback systems is that it’s content is totally dynamic allowing presenters to pick what they are going to display on-the-fly. You can imagine with different sizes, resolutions, and media the complexity of a system like this…but Electrosonic handled the install and integration so no worries.
Directly from Dataton:
The first exhibit at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to examine the near future of space exploration, ‘Exploration Space:Explorers Wanted’ is a stunning addition to one of America’s most enthralling and best-loved visitor attractions. Combining live theatre, interactive exhibits and new media components, the area was designed by BRC Imagination Arts, Inc, in collaboration with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Delaware North Co. Parks & Resorts, the Visitor Complex’s commercial partner.
Filled with light, color, sound and energy, this immersive exhibit gallery features large-scale digital projections, dimensional exhibits and interactive experiences that invite visitors to be a part of the future of space exploration. Enter a virtual world that can transport guests instantly to Mars or the moon, with vivid action happening all around.
The exhibit audio visual systems were designed and installed by Electrosonic.
They include a giant 12ft x 8ft portal looking out onto a rear-projection screen that displays enormous images of future destinations like the moon, Mars and nebulas for the introductory exhibit, ‘Your Destination’. A flat-screen LCD display titled ‘On The Shoulders Of Giants’ showcases the next generation of spacecraft. Five large 12ft x 15ft trapezoidal exhibit screens immerse the guests in the future of space travel. Six more screens of various shapes and sizes, including a 14ft wide 16:9 screen a 12ft diameter screen and four trapezoidal screens, support the main show ‘Explorers Wanted’.
Twice every hour, the entire exhibit is transformed into a live immersive show environment for a 12-minute dynamic, presentation called ‘Explorers Wanted’, in which a NASA ‘Communicator’ walks guests through new missions, new discoveries and the immense challenges of space exploration.
“During the show, visitors sit on bench seats, surrounded by digital imagery, as the Communicator inspires the audience to become part of a NASA mission and the future of space exploration,” says Tom Brighton, Media Support Specialist, Electrosonic. “The main show is displayed on a series of fixed, geometrically shaped screens. The primary content is shown on a large 14ft wide center screen and a secondary 12ft diameter circular screen, stage right. Two additional projectors display content on four trapezoidal screens, which grow progressively larger in size as they arc over the top of the center screen.”
The exhibit and show is run by a Medialon Manager control system with content served by ten WATCHOUT players feeding nine projectors and one monitor. Electrosonic took advantage of WATCHOUT’s inherent programmability to ensure that seven of the projectors could display content onto the nine trapezoidal screens without images bleeding onto the wall. They also created a custom user interface for the WATCHOUT master PC controller so that staff can add updated content to the pre-programmed show to keep it fresh and relevant – a key customer requirement.
“The fact that all the screens are odd shapes and sizes makes the show very visually striking, but did present technical challenges,” Brighton reflects. “Fortunately WATCHOUT is not phased by such things and proved itself capable of performing pretty much any task we could throw at it.”
Fredrik Svahnberg, Marketing Manager, Dataton, concludes: “We love projects that push WATCHOUT to new limits and the ‘Explorers Wanted’ show at Exploration Space certainly does that. The result is an immersive audiovisual experience that educates as well as tells a thrilling story of potential, not just of the future of space exploration, but also of each individual visitor. We are extremely proud to have been able to help bring this project to fruition in such a technically and creatively satisfying way.”
Christie Spyder X20 in the Architainment World
We posted a while back on the Spyder and it’s related products, and here’s a great example of the system in action. Talk about LCD wall. I like that the URS Universal Routing Switcher was used in conjunction, although I don’t see how you could NOT use a routing switcher in this application. After reading the article, I really wanted to know how they were doing the “live feed” from two HD cameras. Anyone know? Also, having spent most of my childhood at Huntington Beach, I got a little homesick…..
Giant Projection in Sydney Again (Where Else?)
Here’s a look at the official Sneak Preview of the projections that will accompany the Youtube Symphony Orchestra 2011. Where else but down under, where they have the world’s best permanent projection surface? Thanks to Obscura Digital- check out the high res stuff- it’s bonzer!
Be sure to check out the gritty details by continuing to read the rest of the article...
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Minimum System Requirements
We’ve all tried to meet these at some point in our careers, right? If you’re in the business of projecting shows for a living, chances are you either use a media server of some sort (Hippo, Pandora’s Box, Maxedia) or a computer system to drive the content on the screen(s). If you’re using a computer to drive a projector (DLP/LCD), LED wall, LCD or plasma display -or any combination thereof- for a show, you’re more than likely going to use the secondary display output as your “show” pallette. Many will use multiple outputs or a break-out box like a Matrox Triple Head to Go or Dual Head to Go. But what of the computer itself? (more…)
DLP explained
And on the heels of the last video from http://www.engineerguy.com explaining LCD technology, we get this from our friends at Texas Instruments, the folks that hold the patent and are largely responsible for inventing and propagating the DLP chip. And for those of you who don’t like video (hard to believe there are any of you if you’re reading this) here’s a great printable article.
Software-based Projection/media Control- Part II, Qlab from Figure 53
Part II of our review of software-based Projection control we visit Qlab, from Figure 53. Qlab is a powerful cue editor and playback app for Mac that offers a wealth of features for the designer. It is primarily a “built” editor, that is, all of the main features are already assembled in an easy-to-use interface, whereas some others in this blog series are “build-as-you-go”. The interface and workspace is clean and… (more…)
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